The BULLetin
January 18, 2018
Principal's Message
He shared a lot of information and there was some frustration from the folks in attendance. Understandably.
But one of the parents in attendance asked the question, so what can we do to help effect change? And Mr. Ploger's response was right on the money. He said, "Be actively involved with your elected officials." Now, writing your legislator will not likely immediately remove the need to make cuts. However, given that the State of Illinois has been delinquent in making payments, that causes a strain on resources as we have to borrow money until those dollars come in. Additionally, the state recently passed legislation to "fully fund" schools... over the next 20 years. You can write to your legislators and ask them to expedite that timeline.
As more constituents are aware of the issues and how they are negatively impacting our schools and district, the more noise they make with legislators, the greater the likelihood that something changes. It needs to change and we need your help.
This link will bring you to a site where you can look up and directly contact your Illinois State Senator and/or State Representative. They need to hear from parents that what they are doing is not good enough and it's having a negative impact on schools and most importantly is negatively impacting kids.
That will likely not stave off any immediate cuts, but if the state can get some of its act together, we might be able to reduce the future impact. I've drafted a letter template that gets to the gist of some of the issue(s). Feel free to copy and paste and amend as you see fit.
We have a strong and vocal community, it's time for us to band together to help effect change.
Practice SAT
Murphy is once again proud to partner with Huntington Learning Center of Oswego to offer students an opportunity to take a practice SAT. The practice SAT is intended to give students a chance to see what the test looks like and offer a baseline score. These are not reportable scores for college admissions.
The test is designed for students in high school so some of the content will be beyond that of junior high-aged students. Nonetheless, you will get a score report with correct answers and the ability to use that for review prior to taking the PSAT or SAT. This is most appropriate for 8th grade students currently enrolled in high school-level classes and 7th grade students in multiple honors level courses. But anyone interested is welcome to sign up.
The test will be January 27. 2018 from 8 to 11:15. We have limited seating (we cap it at 100 students) due to space constraints. The cost for the test is $15 and the money raised will be used to help fund the Murphy Positive Behavior Intervention program.
Registration and addition information can be found here.
40 Seats Remaining. Once we're full, we're full.
AVID - Ms. Fell
Last Friday, our AVID students participated in a fun obstacle course challenge requiring excellent listening and navigating skills. Check out the pictures below!
AVID @ OEHS
Attention 8th grade students - Oswego East’s AVID program is now accepting applications for next year’s freshman AVID program. AVID is a proven program that prepares you for greater success in high school and college. AVID 9 focuses on organizational skills, note taking and study skills, and ways to improve your success. All AVID students must take an honors course and be enrolled in the yearlong AVID elective.
AVID students typically perform better in high school and set themselves up for success in college. Our current AVID graduating class has already been awarded over 1 million dollars in scholarships. If you are a driven student who is determined to push yourself further and succeed, AVID is the place for you.
Weekly JAM (Just Another Maverick)
Murphy PTO
The Murphy PTO Board would like to thank you for your tremendous support! The Murphy community is simply the best!
The PTO will be running the concessions for the Girl’s Basketball season. Stop by and watch the girls' basketball team starting Tuesday. We will have a nice selection of items and EVERYTHING'S A DOLLAR!
If you haven’t already, please consider making your family’s annual donation to the PTO. Our focus this year has been on Student Events and Classroom Grants. Any contribution helps and is very much appreciated! So far this year we have awarded grants to the PE and ELL Departments. Donation Form
For more information on the Murphy PTO, upcoming PTO events or volunteer opportunities, please contact PTO President Missy Dziewiatkowski at missyd71@gmail.com. Please also follow us on Facebook for PTO events and updates (Murphy PTO-Home of the Mavericks).
IMPORTANT DATES:
- Skating Party at Aurora Skate Center Tuesday February 20th from 6-8 pm.
Student Services Spotlight
Shout Outs
This week’s shout out goes to Mr. Shields!!! Mr.Shields always makes his students laugh. He is so nice and challenges us to be hard workers!
Maverick Staff Shout Outs!
We think our entire MJHS staff is amazing and deserves to be acknowledged for the great work they do on a daily basis! Please use this form to recognize any member of our staff. Remember, staff includes teachers, secretaries, nurses, teaching assistants, and custodians!
6th/7th Grade Course Selection Information
6th and 7th grade teachers are currently making placement recommendations for next year. This timeline has changed from previous years. Please reference the links below for Honors Placement Criteria for 6th and 7th graders. If you have any specific questions regarding a placement recommendation, please contact that teacher directly. You should now be able to see teacher recommendations in Home Access.
7th to 8th placement and 6th to 7th placement guidelines.
Ms. Whited and Mrs. Zawacki met with 6th and 7th grade classes last week to discuss elective selection for next year. Students received an Elective Information sheet and Course Summary Guide (see links below). Directions for entering elective selections in Home Access were reviewed. To view the Course Selection presentation that students were given, please click the link below.
7th Grade Course Selection Process
8th Grade Course Selection Process
Important Dates
- 1/9: Counselor course selection presentation to current 6th graders
- 1/11: Counselor course selection presentation to current 7th graders
- 1/12 - 1/23: Students/parents input elective choices on Home Access
While the window is open until 1/23, we ask that you have your electives input in Home Access PRIOR TO Counselor 1:1 meetings (dates below)
- 1/23: Counselors meet 1:1 with 6th grade students through ELA classes to review choices
**Bring your YELLOW Elective Sheet with 2-3 alternate choices selected
- 1/25: Counselors meet 1:1 with 7th grade students through ELA classes to review choices
**Bring your BLUE Elective Sheet with 2-3 alternate choices selected
“The Maverick Way” Outside of School
Murphy Junior High students are doing amazing things in the classroom as well as demonstrating “The Maverick Way” outside of school. If any student is demonstrating “The Maverick Way” outside of school we want to know about it! Please contact Karen Whited at kwhited@sd308.org or Brandi Zawacki at bzawacki@sd308.org.
*Don’t forget to include some pictures in your email.
ZAP-Zeros Aren't Permitted
ZAP is an intervention implemented to develop good homework habits. This program helps students self-correct without a penalty. Getting into the habit of doing homework and realizing that it counts is tough for many students. ZAP helps reinforce the importance of homework completion and provides an opportunity for intrinsic growth through self-correction.
What to do when your student is ZAPPED?
If a student does not complete a homework assignment he/she will receive a ZAP. Students have until 8:00am, the following morning, to turn the assignment into Student Services for full credit. If the student chooses not to complete or submit the assignment, then the student will be required to attend the ZAP classroom (D126) during his/her lunch to complete the homework, also for full credit. It is your student's responsibility to know what is missing and bring the necessary materials home. Students will be allowed 5 visits (every 9 weeks) to the ZAP classroom to complete their work. After 5 visits, students are no longer eligible for the ZAP intervention.
If you have questions, please contact your child’s teacher and/or counselor.
PBIS @ Murphy
Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is a proactive approach to establishing the behavioral supports and social culture needed for all students in a school to achieve social, emotional and academic success.
One aspect of PBIS includes positive acknowledgement of student behavior. When students display the expected behaviors outlined in our MAVS Matrix, they may be acknowledged with verbal praise or tangible rewards (Bullseye Tickets) from their teachers. This makes the expected behaviors more likely to occur in the future and creates positive interactions, rapport, and relationships with students.
When students earn Bullseyes, they are able to collect them to enter weekly prize drawings and shop at the Maverick Mini Mall. This year, our Mini Mall will be on a cart, and students will have an opportunity to shop with their Bullseyes during homeroom each week.
There is a weekly behavior focus, and teachers will be on the lookout to catch students displaying these positive behaviors.
Focus for next week: January 22-26: Coming to class with needed materials
Parent Article
Getting back into the swing of things after a relaxing winter break can be challenging and overwhelming for students. It is possible to teach students to persevere! This article highlights a few strategies to teach perseverance.
"Perseverance and Grit Can Be Taught"
College Planning from myOWN.edu - January Edition
That teenager of yours is still under construction! Their behaviors, moods, and personality seems to change daily - how can you possibly response in a firm, yet fair way as they continue to develop? Continue reading...
8th Grade:
You're certainly not a helicopter parent - but you may know someone who is. Help them avoid the pitfalls of hovering too closely! Continue reading...
Murphy Yearbook
Yearbook orders can be completed online at jostensyearbooks.com. Please contact Ms. Fell if you have any questions.
Spring Robotics Club
The Spring Robotics Club is an after-school club open to all students at Murphy Junior High. The club will meet on Mondays throughout the Spring semester from 3:10 until 4 pm. Students will be using Lego Mindstorms EV3 robots as well as Lego Mindstorms programming software to learn mechanical engineering, robot design, structural engineering, tool design and robot programming.
For those who are interested in joining the Fall 2018 FLL Competitive team membership and regular attendance to the Spring club will be a requirement, but the club is open to anyone who wants to learn a little bit more about robotics.
Responsibilities/ Opportunities
- Organize Lego pieces and keep them organized
- Attend club on a regular basis
- Learn basics of robot design
- Learn basics of robot programming
- Learn basics of Lego Mechanical Engineering
- Create Robotic attachments to complete tasks
- Create Robotic programming
The club will begin on Monday, January 29th and will run every Monday afternoon until Monday, May 7th, unless there is no school that day and will meet in D215. There will be a $10 club fee that will need to be paid at our first meeting. Hope to see you there!
Maverick Sewing Club
Specific meeting dates and registration information can be found here.
Community Events
OHS Dance K-8 Winter Mini-Camp
2 Day Clinic
Wednesday, February 7th and Thursday, February 8
4:30-6:30PM @ OHS Cafeteria
Half-Time Performance
Friday, February 9 at the Oswego v Plainfield East Basketball Game
Upcoming Events
January 23
- 7th Girls' Basketball @ Herget (4:30PM)
- 8th Girls' Basketball v Herget (4:30PM)
January 25
- Geography Bee Finals (8:00AM)
- 7th Girls' Basketball v Jewel (4:30PM)
- 8th Girls' Basketball @ Jewel (4:30PM)
- Understanding the Epidemic: Oswego Area Community Substance Use and Abuse Forum @ Oswego High School (6:00PM)
January 26
- School Improvement Day (11:30AM Dismissal) NO LUNCH SERVICE
- 8th Girls' Basketball Tournament @ Kaneland
January 27
- Practice SAT @ Murphy (8AM) Pre-registration Required, see above
- 8th Girls' Basketball Tournament @ Kaneland
If you are looking for directions to AWAY events, this link will provide directions to many area schools.
Use the "Murphy Building Calendar" link below to see all the things going on at Murphy Junior High.
Contact Us
Murphy Junior High School is an inclusive and supportive community that promotes student success by ensuring ALL students are college and career ready.
Email: banderson@sd308.org
Website: www.sd308.org/murphy
Location: 26923 Grande Park Boulevard, Plainfield, IL, United States
Phone: (630) 608-5100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/murphy308/
Twitter: @murphy308